Black Running Group Sues Boston Marathon, Police Allege Racial Profiling

TrailblazHers, a black running group, is suing Boston Marathon organizers and Newton police. Their lawsuit alleged that group members experienced racial discrimination from faculty members throughout the 2023 Boston Marathon.

According to reports, the lawsuit titled submitted by lawyers of Lawyers for Civil Rights alleges that members of the group were singled out and harassed by officers after a spectator fired a confetti cannon at a runner the group was supporting. The lawsuit states that members of the group were allegedly detained by law enforcement officers, while police didn’t interfere with the group of white supporters.

The Boston Athletic Association, which organizes and organizes the marathon, issued two apologies following the incident that occurred in 2023. One apology, accompanied by a commitment to create a more inclusive environment on the race, was addressed to TrailblazHers. Another was referred to the Boston Police Department after he threatened to not attend the event.

Frances Ramirez, co-founder of TrailblazHers, – wrote within the statement it has been revealed that BAA president Jack Fleming’s apology to police was “completely backwards”. Ramirez also said the apology showed that BAA agreed with the police’s actions. “They should apologize to us viewers of color who were racially profiled and harassed. The BAA clearly endorsed the discrimination we experienced last 12 months.

Fleming, in a press release released on April 12, each acknowledged and downplayed the lawsuit. “I know about the complaint,” Fleming said. “I haven’t had a chance to see or read it. This weekend we are focusing on the 30,000 participants, all the spectators, all coming to the city.”

BAA confirmed through a spokesperson that there might be 4 more miles of barricades on the Boston Marathon than throughout the 2023 race. The spokesperson also reiterated Fleming’s position on April 12.

“We are confident that BAA and our partners are prepared for the Boston Marathon, which is able to welcome 30,000 participants, spectators and eight cities and towns along the route. We deal with providing a fun experience for everybody. While BAA is aware of the criticism, we have now not yet had the chance to review it.

Liz Rock, co-founder of TrailblazHers, said she was upset by BAA’s lack of motion following their promise made after the 2023 Boston Marathon. “I am deeply disappointed with the lack of attention the BAA has paid to our case. We have worked tirelessly over the years to make running more accessible to BIPOC runners in Boston, and we expected BAA to be a partner in this effort. But their actions do not match their words.”

Rock continued: “They claim to want to elevate diverse leaders in sports, but they consistently fall short of that goal. Nevertheless, we are a determined group committed to making a fundamental difference in this community. We will continue to push forward and work to achieve our mission despite the obstacles we have faced.”

Oren Sellstrom, litigation director of the Boston office of Civil Rights Lawyers, said the problem at the guts of the lawsuit is the unequal treatment that this group received. “The problem is not the police presence at the marathon. The problem is unequal treatment.”

According to the lawsuit“As the Boston Athletic Association (“BAA”) describes it…spectators “play a powerful role in building a sense of belonging and community among participants, volunteers, staff and other spectators.” The lawsuit also alleges that BAA “fails to extend the same sense of belonging and community to all viewers equally.”